Veterans' Experiences using Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Posttraumatic Stress: A Qualitative...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Integrative Medicine
• Military Health

Background:

• Combat Veterans frequently experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related symptoms.
• Conventional behavioral health services may not adequately address the complex needs of these individuals.
• Many Veterans explore complementary and alternative health therapies (CAHTs) outside traditional systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the lived experiences of combat Veterans seeking CAHTs for PTSD symptoms.
• To understand the motivations drawing Veterans to nonconventional therapies.
• To identify the perceived benefits of CAHTs for PTSD symptom management.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interpretive metasynthesis of existing research.
• Analysis of studies focusing on combat Veterans' experiences with CAHTs.
• Synthesis of themes related to Veterans' engagement with and benefits from nonconventional treatments.

Main Results:

• Veterans are drawn to CAHTs due to dissatisfaction with conventional care and a desire for personalized, holistic approaches.
• Reported benefits include improved emotional regulation, reduced symptom severity, and enhanced overall well-being.
• Experiences with CAHTs often provide a sense of empowerment and validation not found in standard treatments.

Conclusions:

• Findings underscore the significant unmet needs of combat Veterans with PTSD.
• There is a clear demand for integrative care models that incorporate CAHTs.
• Further research and policy changes are needed to improve access to and reduce disparities in CAHTs for Veterans.